Fri September 14, 2012

Obama, Clinton Receive The Bodies Of Americans Killed In Libya

President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton return to their seats after speaking during the transfer of remains of the four Americans killed in an attack this week in Benghazi, Libya.

U.S. Marines carry a casket during the transfer of remains ceremony, marking the return of the remains of the four Americans killed in an attack this week in Benghazi, Libya.

Jewel Samad AFP/Getty Images

In a somber ceremony at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland a short time ago, President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton received the bodies of the four Americans killed in an attack on the American consulate in Libya.

He said that the four dead — Ambassador Christopher Stevens, State Department information management officer Sean Smith and security personnel Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, who were both former SEALS — believed in the American diplomatic mission and they knew and accepted the danger that came with it.

Clinton gave an emotional address.

"The people of Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Tunisia did not trade the tyranny of a dictator for the tyranny of a mob," Clinton said. "Reasonable people and responsible leaders in these countries need to do everything they can to restore security and hold accountable those behind these violent acts."

Obama also reiterated that those responsible for the attacks will be prosecuted.

"We will continue to do everything in our power to protect Americans serving overseas, whether that means increasing security at our diplomatic posts, working with host countries, which have an obligation to provide security, and making it clear that justice will come to those who harm Americans," Obama said.

After their addresses, the military band played America the Beautiful and uniformed servicemen slowly carried four flag-draped coffins into hearses.